French Connection said in a statement: “We note that Sports Direct has taken long-term significant stakes in a number of British retailers in recent years, and see this investment as a vote of confidence in the true potential of our company. We look forward to working with them more in the future.”

French Connection is under pressure to make acquisitions to meet its growth targets and some industry insiders believe it would fit well with Sports Direct’s fast-growing Flannels fashion business.

But Stephen Marks, who founded the business in 1972, still owns a near 42% stake and will be key to deciding the future of the business.

Marks is currently fighting off pressure from an activist shareholder to surrender his dual role as chairman and chief executive as the business continues to nurse heavy losses.

Gatemore Capital Management, a US hedge fund that has built an 8% stake, has joined forces with other investors OTK and Zoar Invest to control 15% of French Connection shares.

The retailer is in its fifth loss-making year and Liad Meidar, a managing partner at Gatemore, said it was time to “rip off the Band-Aid”.

He accused Marks of overseeing a “tremendous decline in value”. The retailer reported a pre-tax loss of £7.9m for the six months to 31 July and its shares have plummeted in value by 57% since May 2014.